Altaaf Habibulla was named the Most Valuable Player as the GMA Enterprise sponsored Liberty Sports Club returned with two wins in as many matches games during a weekend tour to Tampa, Florida.

The Blue Nation headed South looking to get back out on the field and escape the frigid winter conditions which had left the New York area under ice leading up to the February 22nd/23rd weekend. Thanks to the Captain of Largo Cricket Club, Arnold Harry, the NY Team was hosted for two games over the two day span.

Tampa CC vs Liberty SC

Early morning thunderstorms reduced the game to a 30 overs affair before Tampa CC won the toss and chose to bat. The TCC openers, B. Bory and D. Harry, were cautious against LSC’s Jay Singh and Sunesh Wazid. Their caution did not last long before Singh and Wazid would strike at each end to provide early breakthroughs.

R. Lindsay (28) and L. Pompey (24) set about a repair job for TCC and featured in a 26 runs partnership before they were separated. Following this partnership, the TCC innings never gained any momentum mainly due to Yudesh Bissnauth’s spell of 3 wickets for 10 off 4 overs. The hosts edged along to 112 for 9 off their 30 overs with only P. Ellitte (13) making it to double figures along with Lindsay and Pompey.

Andy Harricharan (2) & Imtiaz Hassan (1), along with Singh, Wazid and Bissnauth, were the LSC bowlers to claim wickets. Altaaf Habibulla bowled 6 economical overs but was unlucky to not pick up a wicket while Alex Amsterdam bowled 2 maiden overs for no wicket.

LSC’s chase got off to a rough start when Ramnarine Chattergoon was trapped leg before wicket first ball and Bose Persaud was out caught in the second over. Habibulla, Harricharan & Hassan would fall quickly, to leave the touring team 34 for 5 chasing the small total. Captain, Danesh Deonarain (29) helped to consolidated this chase but perished to a poor shot when R. Lindsay was brought into the attack. At 59 for 6 there was a degree of concern in the LSC camp but Amsterdam held his nerves to bring it home for the visitors. The left hander struck 3 fours in his knock of 35 and found support from Wazid who scored an unbeaten 15. Singh (3*) accompanied Wazid to navigate LSC home safely with 10 overs to spare.

Largo CC vs Liberty SC

Under ideal conditions for cricket on Sunday, Largo CC won the toss and chose to bat. The bouncy Astro Turf wicket added a “Pep” in the steps of the LSC seamers and they did not disappoint.

Once again the home team’s openers were cautious and managed to see off Hassan and Singh, who handled the new ball for LSC, despite not adding much to the runs column of the score-book. This all changed when Altaaf Habibulla and Andy Harricharan were introduced first change. Habibulla bowled with steady pace and swung the ball both ways while Harricharan took full advantage of the bouncy Astro Turf and generated some healthy pace. The pair combined to remove the top seven Largo CC batsmen of which Altaaf picking up 5 for 26 off his 6 overs and Andy picking up 2 for 12 off 4 overs.

Raul flayed some ambitious shots to score 23 for Largo CC and ended as one of only 2 batsmen, along with D. Harry, to reach double figures. Raul’s stay was ended by Amsterdam who wrapped up the Largo tail quickly with 2.2 overs 3 wickets for 4 runs as the home side was wrapped up for 85 in the 27th over.

The LSC chase was mostly uneventful after losing Jay Singh in the second over for 3. Habibulla (30) & Ganesh Venkat (18) put together a 53 run partnership before Venkat got out. Harricharran came in and upped the tempo with a huge six straight back into the LSC camp. Habibulla would fall with the score on 70 but the additional 16 runs were knocked off easily by Harricharran and Bissnauth (3*) to seal the 7 wicket win for LSC.

At the post game presentation Alex Amstardam was named the best batsman for the trip while Altaaf Habibulla was named best bowler and MVP. Largo CC named Raul M their best batsman and Shamsul their best bowler.

Liberty Sports Club would like to extend a hearty thank you to the Largo & Tampa CC’s and in particular Mr. Arnold Harry for their hospitality and competition.